Lens vs Paris Saint-Germain

Stade Bollaert-Delelis forms the backdrop for a tasty-looking Coupe de France round-of-64 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

Lens dropped a narrow halftime lead in a 2-2 Ligue 1 draw at Auxerre last weekend, losing crucial ground on third-placed Monaco. Six points separate Will Still’s side from the final Champions League qualification spot despite a three-game unbeaten league run (W2, D1). But ‘Les Sang et Or’ must park their top-flight ambitions to try and navigate this mouth-watering tie amid the club’s attempt to lift the Coupe de France title for the first time in history. The opposition couldn’t be more formidable as they’ve lost four consecutive meetings with PSG, including the last two without scoring. The impending fixture at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis can’t guarantee success, with Lens alternating between winning (2) and losing (2) in four home matches since the beginning of October. 

On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain reigned supreme in another Ligue 1 derby, beating Monaco 4-2 during midweek to consolidate their place at the top of the table and maintain an unbeaten league start (W12, D4). However, they paid a hefty price as star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma picked up a facial injury. Despite lacking the services of their vice-captain, ‘Les Parisiens’ head into proceedings in a buoyant mood after winning their last three matches while scoring 3+ goals on each occasion. Another victory would likely produce a flurry of goals, considering the visitors have netted at least three in four wins across their last six road trips in all competitions (D1, L1). However, there’s no room for complacency as they had been winless in three successive away H2Hs against Lens (D1, L2) before a 2-0 win in January.